Here are some highlights from my training and competitive walking:

May 2009: I accomplished my goal of finishing my first 5K race with my trainer and a group of friends. I was so elated afterwards that I planned to compete in two 5K races in August.

August 2009: Race #1 this month was in sweltering conditions, and the photo on this page makes my trainer, coach, and me look pretty cool. The relentless 10 weeks of training on the Five Mile Trail paid off, and I finished this race 14:24 faster than my May debut. Race #2 was four days later, and it was mentally challenging in that I walked it alone and it involved repeating part of the course. I accomplished my goal to finish under an hour, posting my best outing.

September 2009: Eight days after sustaining an ankle sprain, I walked in my fourth race of the season.

May 2010: After 17 weeks of unparalleled training, I competed in my first full marathon event, the Flying Pig, in Cincinnati, OH. Although an old injury invited me to bow out at just under 14 miles, I know now that I am capable of stretching farther than I ever did before. I look forward to future races.

October 2010: I am grateful to have competed in and completed the Columbus Half Marathon in Columbus, OH, my first out-of-town race.

July 2011: The history book of my new life lengthens with 14 races under my belt, including three marathons and a stair climbing event. The well is deep, and I drink my fill of its never-ending supply. I cannot get enough of the alluring walk.

October 2011: I competed in the Cincinnati Half Marathon for the first time, and it was one of my most mentally challenging races thus far.

November 2011: The 2011 race season concluded for me with my third showing in Cincinnati’s Thanksgiving Day Race. Eighteen races since 2009 encompassing 104.6 miles and untold traversing of the inner landscape of my soul leave me grateful for the lessons learned…and eager for the challenges to come in 2012.

May 2012: Three additional races to start my season, a February stair climb and Flying Pig 10K in early May, and my first out-of-state 5K in Dexter, MI for the Kite Network.

My grip is stronger now….